Emergency funds OK’d

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 | 9:03 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- President Bush has approved emergency disaster relief funds to help governments reimburse state and local governments for the added costs in responding to the record storms that hit in late December and early January.

Most of Nevada was severely affected, Gov. Kenny Guinn said Friday, adding that he was grateful the president and the Federal Emergency Management Agency moved quickly.

Under the federal declaration, the state and local governments will be eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of their costs.

Greg Bortolin, press secretary for Guinn, said this was the first declaration and more are expected. He said there was an estimated $18 million in damage.

All Nevada counties except Esmeralda and Pershing will be eligible to seek reimbursement from the emergency management agency. The money can be used for such things as repair of roads and the costs of handling flooding or snow removal.